Leo R. Corazzini, 79

Shrewsbury – Leo R. Corazzini, 79, a former state representative for the 11th Worcester District and Shrewsbury selectman, died Wednesday Aug. 19, 2009, at the UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester.

He leaves his wife of 52 years, Mary B. "Maureen" (Fitzgerald) Corazzini; his three children, Sharon M. Corazzini and husband John H. Donovan III, Gail M. Corazzini, and Paul F. Corazzini and wife Margaret; his brother, Camillo J. Corazzini; his grandchildren, Chiara E. and Alexander J. Corazzini; and his two nieces, Linda Parmakian and Diane Leblanc. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Adeline Corazzini and Anne Pelletier.

Born and raised in Shrewsbury, the son of the late Joseph and Emma (DeRosa) Corazzini, he graduated from Shrewsbury High School and the College of the Holy Cross. He later earned certificates from the Life Underwriters Training Council and the American College of Life Underwriters. He was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps, serving during the Korean War.

Mr. Corazzini had a long career in the insurance and benefits field. He began with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and later worked for the Mutual Trust and Boston Mutual Life Insurance companies. He was then elected as the representative for the 11th Worcester District in the House of Representatives, where he served for nine years. He was a member of the Education and Ways and Means committees. In 1984, he became the administrator for Worker's Compensation at the UMass Medical Center, where he worked until 1998. He also served as a selectman for the town of Shrewsbury from 1984-1988.

He was a member of Saint Anne's Parish in Shrewsbury, the Adelphi Council, Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Italian American Victory Club, the Lake Men's Lodge and the Frohsinn Club, all in Shrewsbury. He served as president of the Worcester County Selectman's Association, was chairman of the first Worcester County Heart Ball in 1982, served as a member and chairman three terms of the Shrewsbury School Committee, and served as one of the first Town Meeting members in 1962, continuing for more than 40 years. He was also a past chairman of the Shrewsbury Democratic Committee.

Funeral services were held Aug. 24 from the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, followed by burial with military honors at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.